Core Charge Policy
What a core charge is, which parts carry one, and how to get yours refunded.
1. What Is a Core Charge?
A core charge is a refundable deposit added to the price of certain remanufactured parts. It exists because remanufacturers rebuild your new part from a "core" — a used unit of the same type — and rely on customers returning their old part to keep that supply chain running. You get the core charge back once your old part is returned in acceptable condition.
2. Which Parts Carry a Core Charge
- Remanufactured engines and engine long/short blocks
- Remanufactured automatic and manual transmissions
- Alternators and starters
- Power steering pumps and racks
- Brake calipers and master cylinders (remanufactured)
- Air conditioning compressors
Your specialist will tell you upfront on the call whether the part you're ordering includes a core charge, and the amount, before you approve the order.
3. Returning Your Core
A prepaid return shipping label and instructions are included with your new part. Your old part (the "core") must be:
- The same type of part as the one purchased (e.g., an alternator core for an alternator purchase).
- Complete, with all major components and housings intact — not stripped for parts.
- Free of major additional damage beyond the original failure (not cracked, welded, or burned beyond the issue that caused replacement).
- Drained of fluids where applicable, and packaged to prevent damage in transit.
4. Core Return Window
Cores must be shipped back within 60 days of your part's delivery date to qualify for a refund. Cores received after this window, or not received at all, forfeit the core charge.
5. Core Refund Processing
Once your returned core is received and inspected by the remanufacturer, the core charge is refunded to your original payment method, typically within 10–15 business days of receipt.
6. Non-Qualifying Cores
If your returned core doesn't meet the conditions above — for example, it's incomplete or shows damage unrelated to the original failure — the core charge (or a prorated portion) may be withheld. We'll explain the specific reason if this happens and, where possible, give you the option to source a qualifying core.
7. Don't Have Your Old Part?
Let your specialist know before you order — in some cases we can source a part without a core requirement, or discuss alternatives, though pricing may differ.
8. Questions
Call (888) 491-3192 or email info@atreusautoparts.com with your order number for help with a core return or refund status.